Modal verbs
Must / can't / couldn't have - to express probability in the past |
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Structure: modal + have + past participle |
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We use must have to express that we feel sure that something was true. |
They must have left early. |
We use can't have / couldn't have to say that we believe something was impossible. |
He can't have escaped through this window. It is too small. |
May / might / could have - to express probability in the past |
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Structure: modal + have + past participle |
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We use may / could / might have to say that it was possible that something happened in the past (but we are not 100% sure). |
He may have missed the bus. |
The negatives are may not have and might not have. |
He may not have left yet. |
Some modal verbs can be used to express probability in the present and past.
Must / can't - to express probability in the present |
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Structure: modal + infinitive without to |
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We use must to express that we feel sure that something is true. |
They are really good, they must win. |
We use can't to say we are sure that something is impossible. |
She can't be ill. I've just seen her in the shop and she looked fine. |
May / might / could - to express probability in the present |
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Structure: modal + infinitive without to |
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We use may or could or might to say that it is possible that something will happen or is happening. |
They may be arriving tomorrow. |
The negative of may is may not. We DO NOT use could not to express probability. |
He might not be offered the job. |